Manchester United’s 4th place finish in last seasons Premier League means they must take part in a playoff round in order to secure Champions League football this season.
United could potentially find themselves in a sticky situation, as the playoffs have previously proven.
In this post we will take a look at the sides United could potentially face, giving them a danger rating and a warning of their star player.
Monaco
The biggest threat to qualification. Monaco’s victory over Arsenal in the Champions League this season shows just why they can be a mean side to come up against. The French side finished 3rd in Ligue 1, and are armoured with various big names such as Toulalan, Moutinho and Kondogbia. Monaco could easily cause United a big problem in qualifying, so it’d be a huge relief if the Red Devils could avoid them.
Danger Rating – 8/10
Star Player – Joao Moutinho
CSKA Moscow
Despite finishing second in the league, the Moscow club have plenty of Champions League experience and would certainly be a huge fixture to avoid for United having seen the side claim four points from Manchester City during last season’s Champions League. English clubs often find themselves struggling against Russian clubs, United included. CSKA would be another side United will desperately hope to avoid.
Danger Rating – 7.5/10
Star Player – Ahmed Musa
Lazio
Lazio have been given the chance to taste Champions League football for the first time in nearly 10 years. The Italian club possess a lot of quality in their ranks, and United will probably want to avoid a trip to the Italian capital, after struggling in the past. Lazio have a familar face in their squad in the shape of Ravel Morrison, a former United youth player.
Danger Rating – 7.5/10
Star Player – Antonio Candreva
Club Brugge
Brugge finished top of the Belgian Pro League, but eventually finished runners-up following the playoffs that come after. The side haven’t been in with a shot at the Champions League since 2005, so will be determined to give their all. Their squad has a few notable names, but they shouldn’t pose much of a threat if United were to draw them.
Danger Rating – 5/10
Star Player – Lior Refaelov
Rapid Vienna
The lowest ranked club (121st) at this stage of the competition. Rapid Vienna finished second in the Austrian league. They pose the least amount of threat in terms of squad quality, and would probably be United’s favourite pick in terms of who they’d prefer to face. They do however, have a striker that scored 27 goals in 33 appearances this season, a young Slovenian by the name of Robert Beric. A player who has caught the eye of many clubs around Europe.
Danger Rating – 3.5/10
Star Player – Robert Beric
The playoff draw is to be made this Friday. If United do qualify for the group stage, they will be in pot 2 in the draw alongside Arsenal and Manchester City – the draw for the group stage is to be made on August 27th.